BubbleStream

Ann Richardson

Life in a Hospice: Reflections on Caring for the Dying

Synopsis

None of us likes to think about what our last days will be like. But if we do think about them at all, we want them to be full of peace and tranquillity, with the chance to say proper goodbyes to those we love. Life in a Hospice takes readers behind the scenes of end-of-life care, to see the very great efforts of nurses and others to provide the calm that we all hope for.
This might sound like a depressing book, but on the contrary, readers have found it to be inspiring and uplifting.
‘An easy-to-read book, which will surprise many readers with its lightness of touch, humanity and refreshing tone. I would recommend it to anyone who has worries about their own or a relative’s care at the end of life.’
Dr Nansi-Wynne Evans, GP
‘The simple reflections on complex areas of care resonate long after you have finished reading the book.’
Cancer Nursing Forum Newsletter
Royal College of Nursing

Author Biography

Ann Richardson has been a writer for many years. She is fascinated by other people’s thoughts, experiences and emotions and loves to write books where they can express their views in their own words.
She writes on different subjects that capture her interest for one reason or another. A book about people living with AIDS or HIV at a time when there was no cure (Wise Before Their Time, Foreword by Sir Ian McKellen) was re-launched in late 2017. A book about what it is like to work in end-of-life care (Life in a Hospice, Foreword by Tony Benn) was re-launched earlier that year. Her most recent new book is about how it feels to be a grandmother (Celebrating Grandmothers).
Ann lives in London, England, as do her two children and two grandsons. Please visit her website www.annrichardson.co.uk

Author Insight

The importance of food for the very ill

One doesn't normally think about what food is provided in a hospice. But a hospice chef talks about the importance of making it special. One more example of the care and attention given to hospice patients.

Book Excerpt

Life in a Hospice: Reflections on Caring for the Dying

Patients are basically trapped – once you are diagnosed, you get caught up in the health service and all your choices are taken away. You get told ‘you need chemotherapy, radiotherapy, drugs’. And for food, in hospital it is ‘here is the soup – take it or leave it’. But I go in and say ‘here are your choices for what to eat today’, they can pick something. It may seem a small option, but to the patient, it is a big option, as they have grabbed a bit of control.

You think this could be this person’s last meal – you want it to be nice, you don’t want it to be just run of the mill. When you are doing a hundred meals, by the time you serve the hundredth one, it’s not going to be as fresh, as it has cooked slightly longer. But here, everything is direct from the kitchen to the patients – it is as good as you have created it. I think that makes a difference.